The Little Demon

by Fyodor Sologub

"The Little Demon" by Fyodor Sologub is a Symbolist novel published in 1907. In an unnamed Russian provincial town, sadistic schoolteacher Peredonov descends into paranoia and madness while desperately seeking promotion to government inspector. Haunted by a hallucinatory demon called Nedotykomka and consumed by hatred for the world around him, Peredonov embodies evil and banality in this satirical yet deeply symbolic portrait of Russian provincial life. His journey culminates in murder and insanity, creating one of Russian literature's most memorable characters.